Teachers

At Lippert, we are proud to work with over 35 qualified and experienced music teachers!

Our instructors are all professional musicians with post-secondary degrees in music and education, as well as Royal Conservatory of Music accreditation. Our teachers offer music lessons in guitar, piano, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, and more. They are the heart of our school and are the dedicated individuals who have contributed to the success of our music school since 1957.

Catherine is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto where she has completed a Bachelor of Music in classical voice where she studied under the tutelage of renowned vocalists Monica Whicher and Mark Daboll. Over the past four years Catherine has enjoyed a career performing classical music with the MacMillan Singers, the University of Toronto Women's Chamber Choir, Opera York, the University of Toronto Opera Chorus, and the Canadian Children's Opera Company. In addition to performing, Catherine has been teaching for the past three years.

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Having herself started playing piano at the age of 10, music has always been an important part of Catherine's life. She hopes to share her experience and love of music through education.

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Klaus Anselm | trumpet • theory

Klaus had the privilege of attending Humber College, obtaining an Advanced Diploma in Jazz Studies with Honours as well as a Bachelor of Music. While at Humber, he studied with some of the finest and accomplished players in the country including Steve Crowe, Alastair Kay, Brian O’Kane, and Steve McDade.
Humber also exposed Klaus to Composing and Arranging (with Andy Ballantyne and Dave Stillwell), Jazz Pedagogy (with Brian Lillos), and other courses in Music Theory, Improvisation, Aural Training, Jazz History, Solo Performance, Repertoire Development, and many more.

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Following Humber, Klaus obtained his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, which was articulated through Humber College. Klaus has enjoyed teaching private lessons in Kingston and the Greater Toronto area in a multitude of educational settings, ranging from one on one customized lessons as well as one on one lessons in a structured school curriculum to giving group clinics. Sharing the passion of music and trumpet playing with students remains one of Klaus’ goals which he continuously evolves with every student.

James began composing, songwriting, and improvising when he was very young. By the time he had graduated from York U, studying under music gurus like Casey Sokol, Steve Koven, Brian Katz, and Matt Brubeck, he had gotten pretty good at it. He has composed music for film, animation, theatre, dance, and song cycles and has collaborated with an Andorran producer on an hour long multi-media circus. He plays keys, produces, and writes for art-pop band Aniqa Dear, and plays bass in Ruby Cikada, and he has produced several albums for various artists.

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James is a passionate creator and teacher of contemporary music. He specializes in all forms of pop/rock, experimental, and improvisational music. He has taught guitar and piano in his small of hometown of Kingsville for 3 years, and has since taught privately for the Canada Music Academy, Yellow Dog, Pegasus, and Lippert. He hopes to continue to compose, lead bands, produce, and teach for many years to come.

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Chris Bailey | guitar • ukulele • percussion • voice

Chris has been teaching music of one kind or another for over 25 years. He specializes in guitar and ukulele, but also teaches voice, piano, violin, African drumming, and percussion. He teaches music and drama for the Toronto District School Board, and greatly enjoys instilling his passion for all things musical in his students. He has performed with many great Canadian jazz musicians, most recently singer/pianist/composer Laila Biali.

Charleen Beard | Director | voice • piano • theory

Charleen holds a Masters Degree in Music Education, Bachelor Degrees in both Music and Education, an ARCT in piano, and a Grade 9 Vocal Performance Certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has had extensive experience teaching privately and in the classroom, conducting, performing, adjudicating, and giving vocal clinics. Her teaching experience includes teaching with the TDSB for more than a decade.
As a teacher, Charleen has a keen understanding of, and enjoys working with, all levels of musicians.

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Her philosophy is that every person has the potential to learn and develop musicianship to its fullest, while having fun. As an administrator, her hard work and dedication has brought Lippert's to the high level of teaching and performance that it maintains today. Charleen is also a Board Member of the Pape Village Business Improvement Area and is an active volunteer in the community. Her contributions have included conducting a children's choir, the Toronto Children's Chorus, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

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Carlene Brown | trumpet • piano • theory

Based in Toronto, Carlene is a thriving trumpet player and passionate educator. Carlene currently attends the Glenn Gould School of Music on a full tuition scholarship, where she studies with the principal trumpet of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Andrew McCandless. Carlene completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto, where she studied with Barton Woomert. She has worked with many incredible educators including Anita McAlister, Gillian MacKay, Uri Mayer, Colin Clarke and Jeffery Reynolds. Her dedication to her practice enabled her to perform for some of the world’s greatest soloists and orchestral players, such as Håkan Hardenberger, James Thompson, James Ross, Karen Donnelly, Michael Sachs, and Andrew McCandless.

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Recently returning from a tour of Germany and Scotland, Carlene has travelled all over the world with music. She’s toured Shanghai, Berlin, Edinburgh, Los Angeles, New York and Vancouver—to name a few. Carlene has performed on the Chicago Symphony Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Konzerthaus Berlin, one of the top ten concert halls in the world. Holding her Ontario roots close, she loves to perform with local orchestras, and has played with the Ontario Philharmonic, Etobicoke Philharmonic, Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra. She is also an active pit musician, and soloist for several churches in the GTA. Carlene began piano lessons when she was 7 years old. She studied and took exams from the Royal Conservatory of Music throughout elementary and high school. She attributes her musical efficiency to her early education in music. Since she values her training so dearly, Carlene greatly supports music education and has taught in a variety of settings. She holds masterclasses for high school and elementary school groups, as well as teaches private lessons for trumpet, piano and theory. Her dedication to both her performance and academia led her to receive many scholarships including, the Town of East Gwillimbury Award, W. Bramwell Smith Memorial Award, University of Toronto Scholar, Walter Homberger Scholarship, Arthur Plettner Scholarship, and a Full Tuition Scholarship to the Glenn Gould School of Music.

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Maciej Bujnowicz | voice • piano • guitar

Finalist of the 2010 NYCO Mozart Vocal Competition in Toronto and the 2004 International Brahms Competition in Poertschach, Austria, baritone – Maciej Bujnowicz – is a recent graduate of the University of Ottawa, in the Master of Music program in performance. Maciej is also a graduate of the Glenn Gould Schoool of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto (studio of prof. Jean MacPhail) and he holds a diploma from Bacewicz’s Music Academy in Poland.

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Maciej’s recent performance highlight includes baritone solo in Haendel’s Messiah with Musikay, conducted by Stephane Potvin. He was also a soloist in Faure’s Requiem with a Hart House Chorus, conducted by David Bowser at the University of Toronto. Maciej is a member of the Opera Atelier choir, he took part in productions of the Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, La Clemenza di Tito directed by Marshall Pynkoski. His recent operatic roles include: Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte at the University of Ottawa and Giove in the Glenn Gould School’s opera production - La Calisto by Francesco Cavalli. As a part of the Glenn Gould School’s Opera Workshop, Maciej performed the role of Podestat and Don Inigo Gomez (Le docteur Miracle) and M. Ravel’s L’heure espagnole as well as the role of Pandolfe in Massenet’s Cendrillon and Johny in Martinu’s Comedy on the bridge. Maciej Bujnowicz took part in many concerts, performances and solo recitals in Canada, he has already been heard on the concert stage performing at the two Canadian Music Festivals: Ottawa Chamber Music Festival and Music Niagara Festival. Besides performing, Maciej enjoys teaching voice, piano and guitar. He has had six years of teaching experience in Canada. Maciej has worked with students of all ages, helping them master their voice, guitar or piano skills in musical genres ranging from classical, gospel, music theatre, and folk songs. This year, Maciej joins the Pax Christi Chorale as a choral lead for their 2018/2019 season, and will also be joining the St. James Cathedral Choir.

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Kayla Campuzano-Ruiz | voice • piano

Kayla is born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She studied piano and voice at the Royal Conservatory of Music, as well as guitar and voice at Lippert Music Centre Inc. Additionally, she attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where she studied voice. Kayla has always had a passion for music and decided to continue to pursue it after graduating high school, and she has just completed her BFA Honours program in Music, Classical Performance for Voice at York University in 2016. In 2015, Kayla participated in a European tour with York University’s Chamber Choir.

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She has sung with the Ottawa Bach Choir under the direction of Dr. Lisette Canton in productions of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Toronto’s Luminato Festival (with guest conductor, David Fallis in a massed choir) and in China where she had the honour of performing in the opening ceremonies of the "Meet in Beijing Arts Festival" in Beijing and Shanghai, China. This was at the special invitation of the First Lady of China, to represent Canada as the feature country in the festival this year. As well as being a classical trained singer, Kayla is also Co-Director of York University’s “Wibi A Cappella”, Canada’s longest running collegiate a cappella group. Kayla has returned to York University for a fifth year to continue to study to further enhance her skills in preparation for a master’s degree, whether it is in Early Music or Music Therapy.

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Karen Carriere (ON LEAVE) | theory

Karen joined Lippert in 2000 to teach the co-requisites to the higher levels of instrumental performance including theory, history, harmony, counterpoint and analysis. Karen holds an ARCT in Theory with distinction, Grade 10 Honours in Voice and Grade 9 in Piano. A very versatile performer, Karen has sung opera, classical and popular music in many different venues. She has been soprano soloist at several well known churches in the Toronto area. Her studies have taken her to Austria to study with some of the best teachers in the world.

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A very dedicated teacher, Karen has gone out of her way to help students attain high standards on the university level courses she teachevr shows throughout Ontario.

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Belinda Corpuz (ON LEAVE) | voice • piano • theory

Belinda is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist: vocalist/musician, composer, actor, and music instructor. As a musician, Belinda has performed in various venues such as Burdock Music Hall, Cameron House, Voodoo Child, and more, with her band (under her name) and other collaborative music groups.
She holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance – Jazz Voice from the University of Toronto - Faculty of Music. As an actor, Belinda is an active member of professional Filipino-Canadian theatre company, Carlos Bulosan Theatre, as artistic associate and resident artist.

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This spring, Belinda released her debut EP, "all i am". Her album has garnered attention with an exclusive feature on CBC Radio’s Fresh Air. Her single “Waiting” was also featured on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning. For more info and updates, visit www.belindacorpuz.com.

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Brandon Davis | bass • guitar • ukulele • piano

Brandon Davis is a Toronto-based bassist, composer and educator. He holds a Masters in Music from the Manhattan School of Music. He attended the Jazz Performance program as an upright bass major, and was on the Dean’s List for all four semesters of his studies. He primarily plays and teaches upright bass and improvisation, but also offers lessons in electric bass, guitar, and beginner ukulele and piano.

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As a performer, Brandon has experience playing in jazz, folk, and classical settings all throughout Toronto and New York, including notable venues such as the Rex in Toronto, and the 55 Bar in New York. Brandon’s goal as a teacher is to foster a strong and healthy foundation, so that students are well equipped to pursue and explore music as they desire. Lessons focus on developing core skills, such as music literacy and a healthy, proficient technique, and on fostering a healthy learning process – one that ensures that music is not just fun, but a rewarding, joy-filled process of discovery for a student. He believes that it is easy to focus on producing results and treating music competitively, but from his own studies, has found that it is vital to be able to enjoy the process of learning, for the sake of keeping that original joy for music alive and well. He hopes to spare students the years it has taken him to learn these lessons. To this end, lesson materials are chosen specifically for each student, to best cater to their strengths, weaknesses, and musical tastes and goals. He is an attentive teacher, ensuring that students are working on music that engages them, and is always working to discern a pace that encourages and gently challenges students. Brandon has recently moved back to Toronto after spending some time teaching and performing in New York City. He is a member of the Suzuki Association for the Americas and has completed teacher training for Suzuki Bass Book 2 with Virginia Dixon.

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Nick Donovan | drums • piano

Nick Donovan is an up and coming drummer and composer, currently studying jazz performance at the University of Toronto. Music was a prominent part of Nick’s upbringing in a family of professional musicians; he began playing the piano at the age of 5 and has been playing the drums for over 10 years. Nick started gigging on the Toronto rock scene in high school, before branching out into other styles such as jazz, soul, funk, and hip hop. Nick was the recipient of an entrance scholarship to UofT, as well as the 2017-2018 recipient of the Richard Iorweth Thorman Jazz Scholarship. He can be heard performing at a variety of music clubs around Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, as well as esteemed jazz festivals across Ontario. Nick brings his creativity, musicality, and professional performance experience to any playing or teaching setting. ​

Mary Evered | brass • woodwinds • theory • guitar

Mary studied education and music education at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree. From there, she went on to a 33-year career as an elementary and secondary school music teacher. Mary was a founding music teacher at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, and was Head of Music at Cardinal Carter until her retirement in June 2017.
As a conductor, Mary has been an 8-time recipient of the Ontario Band Association Conductors’ Excellence Award.

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Her bands have won many awards and are the reigning Ontario champions, having placed first in the Ontario Music Festivals Association provincial finals for 2017. In 2014, she conducted the Cardinal Carter Wind Symphony at Carnegie Hall. Mary brings a wealth of experience and creativity to her private studio. She always reminds her students that music is fun…. that's why it is called “playing”. A self-professed theory and music history geek, she enthusiastically communicates her love of music to her students. Mary plays trumpet, guitar and ukulele and has done extensive one -on -one tutoring and audition preparation in all wind and percussion instruments.

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Michelle Kim | advanced piano • flute • theory

As a pianist and principal flautist of the National Concert Band, Michelle has performed in National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Chan Centre for the Arts in Vancouver. For her solo or ensemble performances, she has performed at Metro Convention Centre, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Nuit Blanche, and Living Arts Centre. Outside of Canada, Michelle has been invited to perform as a soloist in Spain, Austria and in USA. She is an active soloist as well as an accompanist/collaborator. She enjoys collaborating with singers, flautists and violinists.

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Despite being gifted at both instruments, Michelle decided to major in piano performance and has received Bachelor of Music in Performance, Advanced Certificate for Performance and Master of Music in Performance. During her studies, she has received numerous scholarships such as Greta Kraus Scholarship, David and Summer Beach Award Scholarship, Faculty of Music Fellowship, Simmonds Graduate Fellowship and many more. As a teacher, Michelle has a set order of curriculum for each lesson. She focuses on building technique and musicality. Michelle especially likes to work on building finger strength and hand shapes so students have control even when they are playing difficult or fast passages. In addition, Michelle works on analyzing musical structure, phrasing, and articulation by applying different types of techniques students have acquired. In terms of repertoire, Michelle encourages her students to explore various types of musical genre such as musical, pop songs, or jazz to broaden musical horizon.

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Danielle Knibbe | voice • piano

Danielle is a singer-songwriter from Edmonton Alberta. After graduating from Grant MacEwan University with diplomas in Composition and Recording Engineering she relocated to Toronto. Danielle has been performing since the age of 12 and has studied various instruments including piano, viola, guitar and voice. She performs around Toronto in various ensembles, including her solo project. Her compositions have been featured in short films, a musical, and on 3 independently released albums.

Born in Vancouver, Michael has performed at music festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and North America and has been called "one of the most musical guitarists performing and recording today" (This is Classical Guitar). Liona Boyd has described him as "one of the most brilliant and expressive classical guitarists I have heard in my life".
A prize winner at numerous guitar competitions, he has released two solo albums to date, as well as two albums as part of the Henderson-Kolk Guitar Duo, and an album of Mauro Giuliani guitar duos with Jeffrey McFadden on the Naxos label.

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His latest solo album, Mosaic, released by Alma Records, was praised as "playing and musicianship of the highest order" by Whole Note Magazine, and continues to receive frequent radio play in Canada. In 2016 the Henderson-Kolk Duo were selected as Prairie Debut artists, and will embark on a concert tour of central and northern Canada in 2017-18. Michael has collaborated with musicians in both classical and popular genres, and made his debut with orchestra as a soloist with the Toronto Philharmonia. He has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company, Opera in Concert, Tapestry Opera, and CineConcerts. Michael holds an ARCT performance diploma from the Royal Conservatory, and a Master's degree in guitar performance from the University of Toronto. In addition to performing, he currently lives and teaches in Toronto.

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Anna Kwiatkowska | violin • viola • voice • theory

Anna is a graduate of two majors. In 2004 she received a diploma (M.Mus.) in viola at the Faculty of Instrumental Studies from the Music Academy in Lodz, Poland, while in 2005 she graduated from the Faculty of Vocal and Acting Performance at the Academy (M.Mus.).
After completing her studies in Poland, Ms Kwiatkowska continued her education at the University of California in Los Angeles, Ca (UCLA) at the Faculty of Opera Performance.

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Anna’s operatic roles include: Tytania in Britten’s “Midsummernight’s dream”, Rosine in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville”, Despina in Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”, Sandrine in “La Cecchina” by Piccini. Her Canadian performances include Opera Atelier’s production of "La Clemenza di Tito" (chorus), Ottawa International Chamber Festival (selection of Chopin songs accompanied by Mr. James Parker from Gryphon trio) and Tafelmusik Choir’s performance of Beethoven’s "Mass in C" conducted by Kent Nagano. Ms. Kwiatkowska is also a soprano soloist/section leader at St.Paul’s Bloor Street church in Toronto and with the Toronto Chamber Choir directed by Lucas Harris. Besides performing, Anna enjoys teaching and has had 9 years of teaching experience in Canada as a violin, viola, voice and piano instructor.

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Daisy Leung | piano • theory

Daisy is making her mark in Toronto as an accomplished collaborative artist whose love for chamber music and collaboration is apparent in her approach; this has made her highly sought after for her energy and talents.For 20 years, she has taught piano (classical, pop, music theatre), history, and theory, and feels fortunate to be able to pass on her love of music to the next generation through teaching and adjudicating festivals across Ontario.Along with teaching and performing, Daisy has also worked in arts administration, first as the assistant to the General Director at Music TORONTO, then as the manager of the Young Artists Performance Academy at The Royal Conservatory of Music.

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For almost 16 years, she was also the Front-of-House Manager at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music. Daisy's experience in completing her Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto was a strong contributing factor in shaping her playing. After starting piano lessons at the age of five with Betty Wong and then Wolfram Linnebach in Edmonton, she moved to Toronto to complete a degree with piano pedagogue Marietta Orlov. Daisy has also been privileged to play for many of today's leading pianists, such as Jon Kimura Parker, Jane Coop, Marc-André Hamelin, James Parker and William Aide. In her participation with the university's chamber music program and as a popular collaborative pianist, Daisy has also been afforded the opportunity to be coached by several other renowned performers, such as Steven Isserlis, Laurence Lesser, Pamela Frank, Pinchas Zukerman, Jamie Summerville, Sylvia Rosenburg, and Jacques Israelievitch. Daisy has also completed further studies at The Banff Centre, Algonquin Summer Institute, Aria Summer Music Festival, and The Scotia Festival of Music. Daisy performed both as a solo pianist and as a harpsichordist, with an orchestra that toured British Columbia. Daisy is the winner of numerous awards and scholarships from the Canadian Music Competition, Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival, Alberta College and the Royal Conservatory of Music.

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Nick Maclean | piano • composition • theory

Nick is "one of the most gifted young Toronto pianists to come along in the last few years " (Adrean Farrugia, Juno winning jazz pianist) and has quickly become one of the most in demand 20-something piano players in that city's bustling jazz scene. Nick received his Bachelors of Music from Humber College in 2013, having studied with David Restivo, Bernie Senensky and Nancy Walker. He then went on to do a Masters in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto researching synthesizer pedagogy while studying under David Occhipinti, Andrew Downing, Chris Donnelly and David Braid.

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Braid in particular had an enormous influence on how Maclean approaches playing and composing especially as it relates to solo piano performance. Additional musical influences include the likes of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Brad Meldau, Weather Report, Snarky Puppy, Kneebody, Hiromi Uehara, Art Tatum, Miles Davis, Avishai Cohen (bass), Vijay Iyer, and Michel Camilo. Maclean's debut ensemble Snaggle, a groove-based all-original eclectic electric-jazz project, sports a 6-man lineup, compositional odysseys and is often compared by media to Snarky Puppy. The band has an EP and two full length albums under it's belt the last of which, The Long Slog, was released in 2016 on the award winning record label Browntasauras records and received much praise from luminous figures in the national and international jazz community: "...young pianist Nick Maclean's 6-man electric-jazz group Snaggle is most impressive! The music on Long Slog is very, very challenging, yet groovy, soulful & exploratory at the same time... Extremely well performed, written and executed... Reminds me of a band I used to play in!" - Randy Brecker, multi-Grammy winning trumpet legend “Maclean and the members of Snaggle, with the help of Brownman, have crafted a very personal and compelling musical statement, bursting with wide-ranging influences tied together by a sense of unified purpose, chock-full of hidden treasures and layers to be uncovered through repeated listening. So settle in, close your eyes, and let the voyage unfold.” - David Restivo, Canadian jazz piano giant The Nick Maclean Quartet is his straight-ahead hard-swinging quartet featuring internationally acclaimed Brownman Ali on trumpet as well as some of the cities most in demand 20-somethings: Jesse Dietschi on bass and Tyler Goertzen on drums. The Nick Maclean Quartet features compositions from all band members done with a modern twist on the exploratory spirit of Herbie Hancock's primordial 1960's quartet. The quartet has been performing steadily since it's inception in June of 2015 including three performances at the 2016 TD Toronto Jazz Festival. The group will be recording an album of their own in early 2017. Maclean’s Solo Piano Project is two years into it's development and is a deep examination of the possibilities and capabilities of the piano. This is one of Nick’s most exploratory avenues both as a composer and a performer as it is a medium which offers him complete compositional control. Nick’s work draws from a wide range of influences and constantly shifts textures and colours throughout his pieces. Maclean is preparing for a solo album which will be recorded in 2018. The future is bright for this young visionary as he continues his upward ascent in jazz art forms of all shapes and sizes.

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Andrew Matheson | guitar • piano • theory

Andrew is a recent graduate of McGill University, completing a BA with a minor in music (theory and composition). He started at Lippert as a 10-year-old camper in the School of Hard Rock, eventually working as a counsellor at the camp in 2012 and 2013. Having been inspired by the guitarists at the camp, he began taking guitar lessons at Lippert at age 12. He began playing piano at age 7, completing his Grade 8 RCM certificate before heading off to university, but has since returned to private lessons to work towards his ARCT.

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Andrew has performed in bands in both Toronto and Montreal, and is currently performing with up-and-coming singer-songwriter Ryan Gazzola - co-producing Ryan’s debut album - as well as working on his own solo material. Andrew is very excited to join the teaching staff at Lippert for the 2018-19 school year!

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John Nicholson | saxophone • flute • clarinet

John grew up in the suburbs of Vancouver and graduated from Capilano University in 2014 with a degree in Jazz Performance. That Summer, John moved to Toronto, where he has become an in-demand side musician known for his sound and versatility. In the Spring of 2018, John graduated with a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto.

Whitney O'Hearn | voice • piano • theory

Whitney “has a warm and expressive voice and an amazing sense of line.” (Ottawa Citizen). She is a graduate from the University of Ottawa where she studied with Sandra Graham. She recently completed further graduate studies at the University of Toronto with Daniel Taylor and Wendy Nielsen. Whitney has performed the roles of The Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas) with Schola Cantorum, and Mercedes in the wildly successful Carmen On Tap, as well as the alto solo in Duruflé’s Requiem with the Ottawa Choral Society.

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She has been heard with Ottawa Chamberfest, Festival Pontiac Enchanté, and The Canadian Guitar Quartet. She is an Alumni of the NAC SMI Young Artist Program. Whitney is a founding member of Collectìf (collectiftoronto.com), an ensemble presenting art song as theatre which has just completed its highly successful inaugural season. Recently, Whitney joined soprano Stephanie Higgins on a Canadian east coast summer recital tour of romantic French and Spanish repertoire. In the 2016-2017 season, Whitney will be featured as the alto soloist for Handel’s Messiah with Saint Thomas Choral Connection, the mezzo soloist with The Talisker Players in their presentation of “Land of the Silver Birch”, as well as staged productions of settings of Fête Gallants in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre with Collectif. www.whitneyohearn.com

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Shawn Pickup | guitar • bass

Shawn Pickup is a national and international prize-winning guitarist, and has been praised for “a technique of the highest level,” and “masterful interpretation” (Lippische Landeszeitung). Recent performance highlights include a live broadcast performance from Cologne, Germany for Radio WDR3, performances for the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium, Annapolis Valley Festival, Toronto Guitar Symposium, Sauble Beach Guitar Festival, Hamilton Guitar Festival, and a concerto performance with the HfM Orchestra of Wuppertal, Germany. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shawn completed his Bachelor Degree with Eugene Cormier at Acadia University.

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Upon winning 1st Prize in guitar and the Grand Award at the FCMF National Music Festival, Shawn travelled to Germany where he studied with Prof. Dale Kavanagh in Detmold, and later with Prof. Gerhard Reichenbach at the Hochschule für Musik Köln, where he received the Master of Music degree. Shawn has been a prize winner in international guitar competitions in Germany and The Netherlands, and winner of the Solistenauswahl Concerto Competition, Wuppertal. Shawn was interim guitar instructor at Acadia University in 2016, and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Toronto under the guidance of Dr. Jeffrey McFadden. Shawn has been a dedicated teacher for the past 15 years, teaching students at all different levels in many styles of guitar playing. From beginners young and old, to graduate level classical musicians, Shawn draws from a range of teaching experience to help each student explore their musical interests and goals.

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Jenna Pinard | voice

Jenna Marie has a great passion for building inclusive music communities and thrives to promote safe and equal opportunity for all through the students she teaches, the bands she leads, music she writes and jams she hosts. With smooth-sounding jazz and rich r&b vocals, a wide vocal range and passionate performances, Jenna Marie has a voice that hints at Sarah Vaughan and Aretha Franklin but is distinctly her own. Originally from Montreal QC, Jenna Marie now lives in Toronto and is completing her final year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Jazz Voice Performance.

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Jenna Marie is a bandleader, arranger, songwriter, improviser and educator. She will be releasing her first full length album in summer 2019 with longtime collaborator Jay Yoo. She is involved in musical projects such as the Jenna Marie Trio, Jenna Marie Sings R&B, the Element Choir and Jazz United Jam. She is also the feature singer for the Hart House Big Band.

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Christopher Platt | guitar • bass • ukulele • piano • theory

Already an accomplished guitarist in his teens, Chris connected with the guitarists Eric Clapton, Jim Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose music inspired him to develop his skills, write songs, and lead a band of his own. Following high school, he attended Mohawk College and graduated with an Applied Music Diploma. It was there that he developed his passion for jazz, studying with Bob Shields and listening to musicians such as Lenny Breau, Ed Bickert, Jim Hall, and Reg Schwager.

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Following Mohawk, Chris went on to complete a Degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, where he had the privilege of studying under Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Chase Sanborn, Geoff Young, Andrew Downing, and Dave Young. Chris has also had the opportunity of performing with some of the best musicians in the world, such as, Dave Leibman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, Reg Schwager, Bob Shields, Pat Collins, Kieran Overs, Chase Sanborn, and many others. At this point in time, Chris’ influences include a broad range of genres including blues, jazz, Motown, and Brazilian. His music infuses these influences while still remaining true to the jazz idiom. Now an emerging artist on the Toronto scene, he is busy performing around town while continuing to teach and write music.

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Ivana Popovic | violin • viola • theory

Ivana is a violinist, composer and performer from Serbia, now based in Toronto. She has performed her compositions with a variety of ensembles in Europe and Canada, and has written music for theatre and film.
“As a violinist and composer, I look at the world as the center of my inspiration. Creations are the essence of my endeavours, sounds and words my favourite tools. I am passionate about intimate art forms – chamber music and short stories.” -Ivana

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Ivana is the member of The Junction Trio, ensemble-in-residence at historic St Anne’s Church and channeling her gipsy spirit as a violinist with Viva Mexico Mariachi. She is also a cast member in the upcoming production of Grab ‘Em By The P**** Or How To Stop Worrying & Love The Bomb by the Theatre Artaud. As an artistic director of the Art Strollers Classical Music Series, she is currently writing an opera for babies and toddlers. In her spare time, Ivana is pursuing writing sci-fi short stories. www.ivanapopovic.com

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Angela Schwarzkopf | harp • theory

Canadian native Angela Schwarzkopf concertizes throughout the Toronto area and beyond as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral harpist. The first harpist to receive a Doctorate of Music in harp performance in Canada, she has also served as President of the Toronto Chapter of the American Harp Society since 2012. Angela is an instructor at the University of Toronto, the Glenn Gould School of Music, McMaster University, and on faculty at the internationally renowned Young Artist’s Harp Seminar, in Ohio, U.S.A.

Andrew Scott | drums • percussion

Andrew joined Lippert in the fall 2016 and is a touring/recording drummer and percussionist formerly based out of Edmonton, Alberta. His sense of time, taste and his professional attitude affords him the opportunity to play with many great artists across a multitude of musical genres. Recently Andrew has been performing live with Hannah Kirby from Season 8 of “The Voice.” After hearing him play live, Hannah asked him to play on her forthcoming album “Fire in my Soul.”

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He also played in the pit orchestra for the Dallas Theater Center’s musical “Staggerlee." He is comfortable in many different musical situations and as such has been called to play: Small group jazz, Big Band Jazz, Top 40’s Bands (with and without click Track), Contemporary Christian, Fusion, Funk, Soul, R&B, Afro-Cuban, New Orleans Second Line parties and funerals, Cumbia, 1950’s Rock and Roll, et al. This is just a small sampling of the playing opportunities Andrew has had while living in Texas and doesn’t do justice to the experience he has gained from maintaining his busy gigging schedule. Other highlights include playing a show on the field of Dallas Cowboy’s AT&T stadium and playing with vocalist Phil Crosby, grandson of Bing. Andrew graduated from the University of North Texas with a undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies in 2014. During his degree he studied with world renowned drum set instructor Ed Soph. He moved from Edmonton, Alberta to study at UNT and his own teaching style and musical philosophy has been highly influenced by Mr. Soph. Andrew has been teaching drums and percussion privately for 8 years and has found equal success teaching those who have been playing for years or someone who has never played a note in their life. Recently, Andrew has been coaching Jazz Combos from the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra made up of students aged 12-18. Regardless of the teaching situation, Andrew’s philosophy is to focus immediately on making music with others which always ensures the students have fun in lessons.

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Andy Slade | piano • theory • composition

Andy Slade was born in the Cowichan Valley on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC. He grew up studying classical piano with Ann Mendenhall, and eventually went on to complete a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Victoria. After the completion of his undergrad, Andy moved to Xalapa, Mexico to study jazz piano under Edgar Dorantes. Upon his return to Victoria, Andy quickly became a fixture on the west coast music scene, working with musicians like Roy Styffe, Ken Lavigne, Kelby MacNayr, Louise Rose, Wendell Clanton, Monik Nordine, amongst others.

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In 2011, he moved east to pursue a Masters of Music in Montreal and Toronto, where he is active as a performer, educator, composer, and arranger. He had the privilege of studying with Jan Jarcyzk, Andre White, Dave Restivo, and Andrew Downing, all while gaining a reputation as an exciting and creative improviser. He has worked as a pianist in nearly every style of music, playing in Pop, Hip-hop, Orchestral, Funk, Choral, Folk, and Jazz projects across Canada. His choral compositions have been performed in Montreal, Toronto, and Victoria, to great acclaim. Andy has performed at several of the TD International Jazz Festivals in Victoria, BC, as well as the 2014 Nuit Blanche in Toronto, ON. As an author and educator, he has designed and written a series of piano curriculum books targeted at beginner pianists for Violet Anamnesis Publications in San Diego, California. Currently, Andy is living, teaching and studying in Toronto. www.andrewslade.ca

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Liam Smith | bass • guitar • theory

Liam is an electric and double bassist, multi-instrumentalist and composer. He studied Jazz and Contemporary Music at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario. Over the past 15 years he has recorded many albums with a wide range of artists including Mr. Something Something’s 2007 Juno nominated album, The Edge. A lifetime teacher, student and performer, Smith has toured extensively both domestically and internationally and is most currently a member of the The DoneFors, The Jessica Stuart Few, Jaffa Road and Abdominal and the Obliques, among other projects.

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This past year saw Smith take his first steps into composition for contemporary dance, co-creating the soundtrack for two performances by Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects, with Elizabeth Shepherd and John MacLean. • Currently studying Jazz Arranging and Performance at Humber College. • Through many years, instruments and experiences, Liam settled on the bass, where he concentrated his studies for 10 years. • Provides the soul and foundation for many ensembles throughout the Toronto region incl. The DoneFors and Mr. Something Something.

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Cyrenah Smith | double bass • electric bass • guitar

Cyrenah is an active performing musician and creative force based in Toronto. Originally from New Jersey, she attended McGill University’s Schulich School of Music in Montreal, completing a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass and Music Technology in 2017. Throughout her musical career, she has seized many opportunities to improve her craft, studying double bass with section members of l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, double bassist and educator Linda McKnight, and double bassist and Viennese violone master Jan Krigovsky, as well as studying electric bass with prolific session musician Mark Haynes (known for his work with Flyte Tyme Productions, Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Malika Tirolien, and Sounds of Blackness).

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In addition to several Schulich ensembles, Cyrenah has graced the stage with the star-studded Kalmunity Vibe Collective, rising singer-songwriter Ryan Gazzola, the all-female R&B collective LOTUS, l’Orchestre Symphonique de l’Agora, musical pit orchestras for the Cote St-Luc Dramatic Society and Segal Centre for Performing Arts, and more. Cyrenah relocated to Toronto in January 2018 to further pursue her musical career and has since joined Lippert Music Centre as a new teacher. In addition to performing, creating, and exploring the city, she aims to help her students reach great heights this term. Her teaching philosophy is inspired by healthy goal-setting and a sense of wonder, and she encourages her students to approach music with fearless curiosity.

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Sarah Steeves | cello • theory

Sarah has been a part of the Lippert Music Centre community since 2009. Originally from Strathmore, Alberta, Sarah currently resides in Toronto where she performs with Sinfonia Toronto and the Ton Beau String Quartet. As a member of the TBSQ, Sarah has participated in residencies and programs at the Arts & Letters Club, the Banff Centre, Stanford
University and Wilfrid Laurier University.

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She has also performed with the Banff Summer Festival Orchestra, Britten Pears Orchestra, Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Orchestra London the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas touring countries including Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom and the USA. Currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto with Shauna Rolston, she completed her Masters in Music at McGill University with Brian Manker. As a registered Suzuki teacher, Sarah has received training at the Alberta Suzuki Strings Institute, the Chicago Suzuki Institute and the Royal Conservatory. As a teacher internationally, Sarah is participating in the 2013-14 Youth Orchestra of the Americas Global Leaders program and in 2010 coached at Brazil's Neojibá project.

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Hiroki Tanaka | guitar • bass • piano • theory

Hiroki Tanaka is a writer/composer/musician living in Toronto. He is the lead guitarist for Polaris/Juno nominated band Yamantaka // Sonic Titan and has toured extensively throughout Canada, USA and Europe. He began studying classical guitar in highschool through the RCM and went on to study music at Concordia University. His preferred genres are classical, and of course, rock!

Sam Taylor | guitar • voice • bass • composition • recording

A young Canadian talent, Taylor’s career began at a very early age. Born and raised in St. Thomas, Ontario, Taylor started singing and performing live at the tender age of seven. Think Bobby Darin or Frank Sinatra, complete with fedora….at seven! His career escalated quickly and by the age of nine he was performing with Orchestra London. At twelve he recorded his first single, Smile, and was winning local talent shows (even placing ahead of Justin Bieber occasionally.)
During his Fanshawe College years, Taylor wrote the song Loaded Gun which was picked up by the DeGrassi series.

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After graduating he relocated to Toronto in 2011 and hasn’t looked back. He performs his “new blues” with his Toronto band The East End Love and as a solo artist, in clubs across the Greater Toronto Area including the famed Hugh’s Room Live, Cherry Cola’s and the Hard Rock Cafe. He has also had many opportunities to perform with classic artists such as Robbie Lane and The Disciples, members of Crowbar and even the late Bobby Curtola. Taylor recently opened for Maple Blues Guitarist of The Year David Gogo and has shared a stage with Toney Springer, Jerome Godboo, Greg Godovitz, Gordon Lightfoot, David Wilcox and many others. Taylor released his first EP, The Sound in February of 2016 and his first full-length album, What You Heard, recorded in a single day, in June 2016. A frequent live performer on Zoomer Radio 96.7AM, Taylor connects to audiences with his sense of humor and sincerity, both in person and through the airwaves. His music comes from the heart and you feel it with every note he plays. Sam's objective as a teacher at Lippert is to pass on knowledge to students in a fresh and fun environment. While specializing in blues, rock and pop, Sam will do his best to adapt to any student's individual needs and learning style.

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Ian Tulloch | brass

Ian is the instrumental music instructor at Fern Hill School in Burlington, ON. Ian has a varied performing background in multiple genres that include the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Rambunctious, Heavyweights Brass Band, Regina Symphony Orchestra (SK), Salt River Brass Band (AZ), the Dixie Devils (AZ) and the Bob Moyer Big Band (SK). Ian holds a Masters Degree in Music Education from Arizona State University and has 10 years of teaching experience in public and private schools and over 15 years of teaching private lessons from beginner students to Universtiy undergrads.

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You can hear Ian playing sousaphone around Toronto with the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Rambunctious and other groups.

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Maria Vallejo | flute • theory • piano

Maria Vallejo, flutist selected by competition to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City to represent Western Michigan University. She is an avid solo, chamber and orchestral musician who has given performances in Ecuador, Colombia, Canada, and the United States. Ms. Vallejo has participated in Round Top Music Festival, Bonita Boyd International Flute Masterclass, LIU Post Chamber Music Festival, Anatomy of Sound (USA), International Academy of Flute (Colombia), and International Convention in the Middle of the World (Ecuador).

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She has played with the Texas Festival Orchestra, Royal Conservatory Orchestra, Frost Symphony Orchestra, The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, WMU Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Philharmonia, Philharmonic Orchestra of Quito, Youth Orchestra of Ecuador, among others. And has had the honor of playing under the baton of distinguished conductors such as Carlos Prieto, Charles Olivieri-Munroe, Yaniv Dinur, Michelle Merrill, Carl St. Clair, Leonard Slatkin, to name a few. In masterclasses, Ms. Vallejo has played for flutists Carol Wincenc, Bonita Boyd, Amy Porter, Leone Buyse, Conor Nelson, Robert Dick, Jonathan Keeble, Paula Robison, Timothy Hutchins, Valerie Coleman, oboists Alex Klein and Toyin Spellman-Diaz, clarinetist Ricardo Morales, and others. Ms. Vallejo is currently pursuing the Artist Diploma Program at the Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music and holds degrees from Western Michigan University and the University of Miami. Her main teachers include Dr. Martha Councell, Trudy Kane and Susan Hoeppner. She practices yoga, and enjoys hiking and camping.

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Maia Van Raes | piano • theory • brass

Maia is a classically trained pianist with her Bachelor of Music in Piano from the University of Toronto where she studied with Andrew Markow and Brian McDonagh. In 15 years, she has performed classical compositions from Bach to Chopin, but also enjoys blues, rock and pop and their emphasis on improvisation. In addition to classical music she has performed in orchestras and pit bands for musical productions, such as Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show and Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and most recently accompanied Toronto's Snowdrop Production's The Glass Cage.

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Maia is the current keyboardist and back up vocalist for Toronto band, Sam Taylor and the East End Love, performing in Toronto and across Southern Ontario. She is also working towards completing her ARCT accreditation from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Maia focuses on building a strong technique and draws on a wide variety of musical genres to ensure her students remain motivated and engaged, no matter what their goals are. My goal is to help students become musically literate and confident in their playing, but also understand the value of expressing themselves through music.

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Connor Walsh | bass • guitar • theory

Connor Walsh is a jazz, pop, and folk bass and guitar teacher from Edmonton, Alberta. In 2011, he earned a diploma in contemporary music performance from Grant MacEwan University, and completed a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance at the University of Toronto in 2014. Performing with small jazz combos, folk groups, rock bands, and jazz orchestras, he has played tours across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec.

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His musical credits also include a musical production which was featured at Edmonton’s Fringe Festival and Citadel Theatre, seven studio albums among other recording projects, and performances at the Edmonton and Ottawa jazz festivals. In addition to performing in various musical settings, Connor has been teaching private lessons and clinics in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario for the past seven years. In the summer of 2014, he was selected to perform at the Ottawa Jazz Festival as a member of the TD Jazz Youth Summit. Connor can often be seen performing at local venues such as the Dakota Tavern, Cameron House, the Emmet Ray, and many others.

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Mike Wark | saxophone • flute • clarinet • theory

Saxophonist/woodwind doubler, composer/arranger, and music educator Mike received his B.Mus. (Jazz Studies) from Thompson Rivers University/Humber College, and M.Mus. (Jazz Performance) from University of Toronto. He has studied saxophone with Don Palmer, Mark Promane, Kelly Jefferson, Pat LaBarbera, Kirk MacDonald, Mike Murley, as well as flute studies with former T.S.O. flautist Virginia Markson, and improvisation with international saxophonist/jazz pedagogue Dave Liebman.

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As a versatile musician on the Toronto scene, Mike has worked with the likes of Nova Sinfonia, Luis Mario Ochoa and Cimarron, Toronto Jazz Orchestra, NOJO, Jane Bunnett, Danny Marks, Persian-Pop star “Sattar,” children’s entertainer/TV star Fred Penner, and has been able to share the stage with jazz greats Randy Brecker, Steve Gadd, Dave Liebman, Ralph Alessi, and Vince Mendoza. He has performed on many stages throughout Canada, US, and Cuba, numerous international jazz and blues festivals, pit orchestras for musical theatre, and can be heard jingles, film soundtracks, and numerous albums. Mike currently keeps busy teaching, writing, and performing with a variety of ensembles in Toronto. www.mikewark.com